Toledo Zoo Halloween Adventure October 30

 The Toledo Zoo Halloween Vineyard Adventure will take place Saturday, October 30, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Nairobi Pavilion.

Sample wines of the world with a Halloween twist! Come in costume and enjoy great live entertainment along with tasty hors d'oeuvres and an amazing array of wines.
The price for Toledo Zoo members is $35. The cost for non-members is $40. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. You must be 21 years or older to attend a Vineyard Adventure and a valid ID will be required. For information call (419) 385-5721, ext 3092.

Tannenbaum Wine Trail Weekends Set For Northeast Ohio Wineries

  Wineries on the Vines and Wines wine trail will be hosting their annual holiday-themed Tannenbaum Trail event for three consecutive weekends in December (3rd and 4th, 10th and 11th, and 17th and 18th). Normally we're not fans of rushing the holiday season, but this event sells out so quickly we wanted to give our readers a chance to take advantage of this great event. The cost is $45 per couple.

The event gives you the opportunity to travel to wineries in northeast Ohio. Between noon and 6:00 PM each day you can sample wine and enjoy appetizers. At a designated winery you will recieve a beautiful Schott Zwiesel wine glass and a 16" Christmas tree. At each of the wineries you will pick up an ornament to adorn your tree.

 

There is a great list of participating wineries this year:

• Biscotti Family Winery, Conneaut
• Bene Vino Urban Winery, Perry
• Buccia Vineyards, Conneaut
• Debonné Vineyards, Madison
• Emerine Estates, Jefferson
• Grand River Vineyards, Madison
• Ferrante Winery, Geneva
• Laleure Vineyards, Parkman
• Laurello Vineyards, Geneva
• Maple Ridge Vineyards, Madison
• Old Firehouse Winery, Geneva-on-the-Lake
• Old Mill Winery, Geneva
• St Joseph Vineyard, Madison
• The Barrel Room Winery, Wickliffe
• The Winery at Springhill, Geneva
• Virant Family Winery, Geneva

To make your reservations please call (800) 227-6972 or order online here. The event is sponsored by Adams Reserve Cheddar and organized by the Ohio Wine Producers Association.

 

Technorati Tags: wine

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Boo! Hallowine Events Scheduled

Image of Vampire via Snooth

Looking for a way to celebrate "Hallowine" this weekend? Here are some suggestions:

Thursday, Oct. 28 -- Tickle your palate with some spooky wines at the Andersons in Maumee from 5 to 7 PM. Among the selections are Vampire Pinot Grigio, Bogle Phantom, Big Red Monster and 7 Deadly Zins.

Friday, Oct. 29 -- Aficionado Wine and Cigars in Perrysburg will help you celebrate Halloween "Napa Style" with a great selection of Napa wines (two white, two red) for a measly $10. The tasting runs from 5 to 8:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Saturday, Oct. 30 -- To warm up you can try Leelanau Witches Brew Spiced Wine from Michigan at the Andersons-Woodville Mall tasting, which is scheduled from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Cost is only $2 for four wines.

Things really get rolling in the evening. You can choose from two winery parties in Jackson, Michigan. 

At Lone Oak Vineyard Estate, 8400 Ann Arbor Rd. Grass Lake, Michigan, (517) 522-8167, there's bewitching music and food from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Music is provided by Koke McKesson and Doug Decker. Dinner, light fare and great estate grown wines are available. Dinner menu will include BLACKened CATfish served with au gratin potatoes -or- GHOULash! Each served with salad and bread. Dinners are $14. Dinner is optional and must be ordered in advance. Seating is limited. Reservations are required. There is a $7.50 cover charge.

Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 1849 Rives-Eaton Rd., Jackson, Michigan, (517) 569-2132 has scheduled its first annual Halloween Masquerade Ball Saturday from 8 PM to midnight. The evening will include music, dancing and fun. Entertainment will be provided by Michigan based “Big Foot Bob and the Toe Tappers.”  They have a unique and entertaining approach to a wide variety of classic R & B, jump, swing, blues, as well as original material. All you can eat “Witch’s Stew” will be available. The cost is $5.

See our Facebook page for some great suggestions for frighteningly good wine.

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Wine Tastings & Events: October 27-30, 2010

 

Wednesday, October 27
The Andersons, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Spooky Wine. Come see if you can figure out the common theme to this year’s Halloween tasting!: 1. Michael David Incognito Viognier,  2. Affentaler Spatburguner, 3. Corvidae Wine Co. (Owen Roe) “Rook,” 4. Klinker Brick Zinfandel. Nominal fee per sample or $8.00 per flight.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. Inexpensive wines. $15.

 

Manhattan's Restaurant, 1516 Adams Street, Toledo. Wine Tasting with Uptown Vineyard. 6:30 PM. $15. Five wines and appetizers. In Union Square room. Reservations required. E-mail info@uptownvineyard.com or call (866) 276-1984.Just in time for Halloween. You'll just die for our Deadly Red Merlot and don't be afraid to try our Superstition Riesling/Pinot Blanc

 

Thursday, October 28

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Spooky Wines: 1. Vampire – Pinot Grigio – California, 2. Bogle’s Phantom – Red Blend – California, 3. 7 Deadly Zins – Zinfandel – Lodi, California, 4. Big Red Monster – Red Blend – California, 5. 2009 Abstract – Red Blend – California Inaugural Vintage.  Nominal fee per sample or by the flight. 
 

The Andersons, Talmadge Road. Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Jim’s Anniversary Wine Tasting: 1. Covington Cellars Voignier – Washington,  2. Treana White (Rhone style) – California,  3. Orzada Carmenere – Chile, 4. Abstract Red – California, 5. Barrel Chaser Napa Red, 6. Treana Red (Rhone style) – California, 7. Harmonium Super Tuscan – Italy, 8. Mollydooker Gigglepot Cabernet, 9. Elyse Cabernet Port 375ml – California. Nominal fee per sample.

 

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. Inexpensive wines. $15. 

 
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. I Want My GSM! Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre - there's a reason why these grapes play so well together. Stop in for an amazing mega-tasting of the best damn blend in the land. Nominal fee per sample.

Friday, October 29

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Halloween "Napa Style:” 1. Honig Sauvignon Blanc, 2. Merryvale "Starmont" Chardonnay, 3. Oberon Merlot, 4. Duckhorn "Decoy" Cabernet Sauvignon.  $10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. I Want My GSM! Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre - there's a reason why these grapes play so well together. Stop in for an amazing mega-tasting of the best damn blend in the land. Nominal fee per sample.

Saturday, October 30

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Halloween "Napa Style:” 1. Honig Sauvignon Blanc, 2. Merryvale "Starmont" Chardonnay, 3. Oberon Merlot, 4. Duckhorn "Decoy" Cabernet Sauvignon.  $10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville Mall. 1-3 PM. 1. Lotus Cabernet Sauvignon, California, 2. Leelanau Witches Brew Spiced Wine, Michigan, 3. Elsa Bianchi Torrontes, Argentina, 4. Peter Brum Bacchus Sweet White, Germany.  Nominal fee per sample or $2 for flight.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 PM. Superstar Wine Smackdown #1: 2007 Chateauneufs – Beaucastel vs. Pegau, Napa Vally Cab Sav  - Ehlers 1886 vs. Cakebread, Modern Spanish Masters – Numanthia vs. Clio. Special premium tasting.

Technorati Tags: wine

[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]

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Maryhill 2007 Winemaker's Red Columbia Valley

 This nice everyday red from Washington State is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. It's got quite a bit of flavor for about $14.

Maryhill Winery is located in the scenic Columbia River Gorge with its grapes grown at one of the state's most established and oldest vineyard sites. The winery opened in 2001and is the 15th largest in the state (out of 600). The winery produces about 80,000 cases a year and has a 3,000 square foot tasting room and a 4,000 seat amphitheater for concerts. It was named winery of the year in 2009 and consistently produces award-winning wines.

Like similar efforts from other wineries, the exact blend varies from year to year. This wine has a nice bouquet of dark fruit and garners a smooth texture from the Merlot. The Syrah and Cab Franc keep things interesting with a dash of earthiness and spice. It has light tannins to hold it all together and a medium finish that can linger.

For the price, this is a satisfying wine on several levels. The wine unwinds nicely, revealing different flavor components. 

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Niagara Peninsula Ontario Winery Visit: Ridgepoint Wines

Another report in our series of winery visits in the Niagara Peninsula, Ontario.

Ridgepoint Wines is a small estate winery on the Niagara Escarpment. It was founded 15 years ago by Mauro Scarsellone and his sister Anna Gottardo. The vineyards are planted primarily with Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon rounded out with several white varieties. It also features the Italian grape Nebbiolo, which has become the Ridgepoint’s signature wine. Ridgepoint is responsible for the first commercial bottling of Nebbiolo in Ontario. That’s a notable achievement. The winery specializes in premium and ultra-premium wines with the Twenty Mile Bench appellation.

The winery also offers the Dining Room for light and casual dining and special events.

The tasting room is small and decorated in bright Tuscan yellow with a large display of wines for sale. I started off with The 2008 Dry Riesling. The Riesling, regrettably, was nothing special. It was lacking in acidity and so didn’t have the crispness we like. Since Ridgepoint is known for reds, I moved to the 2007 Meritage.

The Meritage was a new release a featured a smokiness and tobacco flavor note over dark fruit. This is a nice bottle, but fell somewhat short of some of the others we tasted on our trip thus far. I wanted to sample the Nebbiolo, but unfortunately the winery doesn’t provide samples due to the limited supply. The Nebbiolo goes for $40 a bottle.

No other wines registered as special with our tasting team. We had just finished visiting the impressive Tawse Winery and Ridgepoint may have suffered in our eyes by comparison. Perhaps if we had visited Ridgepoint as one of our first stops on the wine trail we would have enjoyed it more. However, on this day it came across as unremarkable and so much so that we limited our time and went off in search of the ultimate Ontario grape experience.

Technorati Tags: wine,Niagara Peninsula,ontario wine

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